Slicing machine



May 17, 1932- E. J. SCHNEIDER ,8|5 8,7 91

SLICING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1950 A 'froze/wry Patented May 17, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFicE EDWARD J. SCHNEIDER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO PAPENDICK, INC., OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI sLIoING MACHINE Application mea February 27, 1930. serial m. 431,729.

This invention relates generally to slicing machines and, more particularly, to a certain new. and useful improvement in`- machines especially adapted for the slicing of baked loaf bread and the like.

My invention has for its chief object the provision ofa slicing machine adapted and designed to rapidly and eliciently cut or divide the baked loaves into approximately uniform slices and so constructed and operable as to preserve the sliced loaf or the like substantially in its pre-sliced shape and contour.

My invention has for another object the provision of a machine of the type stated in which the slicing members comprise a plurality of pairs of relatively narrow or ribbon-like crossed bands, the bands of each pair being adapted for obliquely engaging a loaf in opposed directions and lin spaced-slice-delining relation, the pairs of bands forming component parts of a suitably elongated endless blade reeved through the machine and so disposed as to provide a relatively clear, unobstructed feeding throat for bringing the loaves to be sliced to and through the slicing members at approximately the plane of crossing of the several pairs thereof.

My invention has for a further object the provision of a machine of the type stated in lwhich the slicing blade may be tensioned in a simple, convenient, and effective manner, and i'n which the slicing blade is also characterized by being singularly accessible for inspection, maintenance, and repair.

My invent-ion has for a still-further object to provide a slicing machine which is simple and relatively inexpensive in construction, compact and durable in structure, and efficient in the performance of its intended purposes and functions.

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,-

Figure l is a side elevational view of a slicingmachine embodying my invention, shown in connection with the terminal por- 'bers tion of a feeding mechanism and loaves to be sliced, one of the latter being shown in section; and

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the machine, the feeding mechanism and loaves to be sliced being omitted, and parts being broken away. y

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, A designates the frame of the machine which preferably includes a pair of suitably spaced standards 1 upstanding from a floorplate or base 2 and united at their tops by a cross-piece 3.

Supported intermediately on one of the standards l, is a bracket 4 provided with a pair of spaced laterally presented lugs 5, which rigidly support a plurality of transverse shelf-like members disposed preferably in pairs, as shown, the lower pair being suitably spaced downwardly from and disposed under the upper pair and comprising a relatively broad liatWise-disposed comblike member 6 constituting what might be designated a work-table for the loaves to be sliced and a comb-like guide-member 7, in turn, suitably spaced downwardly from the work-table 6. The upper pair of said mempreferably comprises another relatively broad atwisedisposed comb-like member 8 having a plurality of forwardly disposed re1- atively resilient lingers 8 presented upwardly somewhat in advance of the forward longitudinal edge of the work-table 6 therebelow and constituting what might well be designated a combined guide and holding-member for the loaves to be sliced, and a. second combstrands or cutting-members 12 each similar-- ly traveling from the drum 11 obliquely downwardly and also forwardly and then rearwardly under an opposed or lowe` rotary drum 13. Thus the endless-knife B in- 5 tegrally or as a unit provides a plurality of pairs of the strands 10, 12, the strands 10, 12,

of each pair crossing in laterally spaced relation approximately midway intermediate the drums 11, 13. Each strand 10, 12, is also suitably twisted upon itself intermediate the drums 11, 13, and approximately at the point of crossing, so as to present a side or cutting edge in the line or path of travel of the loaves C to be sliced..

Such lateral spacing of the alternating strands 10, 12, at approximately the point of crossing thereof is preferably regulated and accomplished by providing the comb-like members 6, 7, 8, 9, each with a longitudinal series of transverse slots opening at and extending inwardly from the front edge thereof, said respective members 6, 7 8, 9, being arranged in such manner that a slot in one ve'rtically aligns or registers with a slot in each of the others, each such group of vertically aligned slots beingadapted for slid- \ing reception of one of the traveling strands 10, 12, in guiding and laterally supporting relation thereto. provided between the work-table 6 and the superposed guard 8 substantially at the point of crossing, and substantially in the plane of parallelism, of the twisted strands 10, 12.

In reeving the continuous band or knife B over the opposed drums 11, 13, the res ective strands 10, 12, are each twisted pre erably a half turn in such manner that at its point of tangency with the drums each strand is parallel transversely of its width with the faces of the drum, butat a point intermediate thereof the respective strands are perpendicular transversely of their width to the faces of the drums 11, 13, and readily run through the particular group of kvertically aligned slots in the work-table 6, guides 7 9, and guard v8, theeect being to vertically present a cutting edge of each strand for slicing engagement with the loaves C being sliced. It will be noted that each strand 10, 12, is normally inclined slightly lfrom the vertical due to the helicoidal arrangement of the band B over the drums 11, 13, and in such regard the slotted guides 7, 9, in co-operation with the slotted work-table 6 and guard 8, function both to vertically retain the respective strands with respect to the work for forming parallel slices thereof and also suitably space the several strands so as to uniformly define the width of the cut slices.

For returning the .strandof the band B departing from one end of the lower drum 13 to the opposite end thereof, anvobliquely f disposed so-calledshiftable tensioning pulley 14- is -adjustably supported, asgsoon appearing, in co-ope-rative belt-directing relation -lower shaft 18 may be extended at an end to Thus also a feed-throat is- `an electric motor 23, which, for present pur- -gaged on one side by an upwardly moving with the drum 13 therebelow, in such manner as to lead or directingly engage the returning portion of the belt B twistingly upwardlyfrom one end and side of the drum 13 twistingly downwardly to the opposite end and l) side of said drum, whereby the band B is caused to repeat its spirally looped course along the drums 11, 13.

The tensioning pulley 14: is preferably journaled in a pair of standard four-point M adjustable bearings 15 mounted upon a suitable shelf-like bracket 16 presented outwardly from the adjacent frame-standard 1. The bearings 15 are of common type and hence detail description thereof is here omitted; I would state, however, that by manipulating the adjusting screws 17, the axis of the pulley 14 may be swung in any direction suitably for the purposes intended.

The ,drums 11, 13, are mounted on respective arbor-shafts 18, 18, each journaled in respective pairs of transversely-aligned bearings 19 suitably secured to the frame standards 1, as by fastening elements 20. The

provide support for a suitable pulley 21 preferably' of the friction type for 'co-operative or driving connection with 'a pulley 22 adapted for actuation by a prime-mover, as

poses, may be supported on the base 2 of the frame of the machine. In use and operation, the oppositely moving strands 10, 12, are arranged in a helicoidal direction in such manner as to present to the loaves C to be sliced a series of cutting edges approaching the work-table 6 from above and alternate series of cutting edges interitted in crossing relation with the first series and approaching thev work-table 6 105 from below, the spacing between the several oppositely movingV cutting `strands 10, 12, being regulated by the slotted plates 6, 7 8, and 9 proportioned suitably to the thickness of the slices to be cut, the endless band-knife no B being reeved or wound around the drums 11, 13, as many turns as are required to properly slice the loaves C.

It will readily be seen that a loaf C is enstrand, tending to lift the loaf, and on the other side the sliced portion is engaged by a downwardly moving strand tending to neutralize the first trend, whereby the slice is caused to remain in approximately its presliced position during. the slicing operation. In such respect, the guard 8 co-operates with the work-table 6 to form a relatively unobstructed feeding throat, the guard 8 being selectively set at such distance from the plate .125 6 to prevent vertical displacement of the loaf while permitting the same to be fed to and through theseries of cutting strands 10, 12.

As an example of the use of the invention, the same vis shown in connection with the terl spaced group tions, the effect minal portion of a feeding mechanism 24, the successively discharged baked loaves C being .first yieldingly engaged by the` resilient guard-Finders 8 and then engaged by and between the work-table 6 and slicing operation, the loaves passing to, between, and through the series of spaced slicing strands 10, 12, for discharge therefrom l en baked-loaves 'to a relatively narrow band( moving in a constant directionand speed. In practice it has'been found that the relatively soft tissues of a baked loaf may thus be sliced cleanly and neatly with minimum crumb or dbris formation and in such manner as to substantially avoid crushing, tearing, or bunching the tissues being cut. Y

Training of'the. band-knife B spirallyover the rolls or drums'll, 13, provides, in effect,

a continuing' series of conjoined twisted loops, the strands 10, 12, of which may be cooperatively arranged in a more or less closely thin slices in the loaves, the loops being twisted for presenting a sharpened edge of the band successively to and along the work.

' The thickness of the respective slices of the sliced loaf may be conveniently governed by varying the spacing of the registerlng slots in the plates 6, 7, 8, and 9, the tenslomng pulley 14 being correspondingly swlveled or adj usted for cooperatively receiving and returning the band B from and to the pulley 13.

It will be noted further that the bandfr be tensioned by suitably adjusting the wheel 14, and the co-operative comblike members 6, 7, 8, and 9 serve as' spacing means for supporting the cutting strands 10, 12, when the same are under strain from thrust of the to keep said band-like strands from buckling.

.The machine is of simple and highly suitable construction for the purposes intended, particularly withrespect to( the manner in which the feeding throat of the machine is knife B may well away from the actuating mechanism,y

thus providing a relatively clear, open space at the 4cutting zone, which in large measure prevents contamination of the loaves C being 4. sliced With oil or other`foreign matter that may be thrownoi' by said actuating means.

It is to be understood that changes and modiiications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several (guard 8 for the' suitably for cutting relativelyA y relation upon Work against the'cutting edges' parts of the machine may be made and substltute'd for those herein shownand described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is y l. 4A slicing .machine comprising a pair of thus described. vmy invention, what v spaced rotary drums, a blade in the form of an endless band reeved in a helicoidal manner about said drums to comprise a plurality of pairs of cutting-members traveling intermediate and over said drums, and means including an adjustable pulley for tensioning vsaid blade, the blade passing'from one end of one ofthe drums to and over the pulley and then returning to the opposite end of n 2. A slicingmachine including a frame, a pair of rotary 'drums mounted in spaced relation in the frame, a blade in the form of an endless band reeved in a helicoidal manner about said drums to integrally comprise opposed alternating series of ascending and descending ribbon-like strands adapted in crossed pair relation to oppositely travel obliquely from one drum ato the other, a

pair of plates fixed to the frame intermediate the drums and provided with vertically registering series of strand-accommodating slots for spacing the strands for edgewise cutting engagement with the work in slicedefining relation, and means for actuating theblade.

3. A slicing machineA including a frame, a pair 'of rotary drums mounted in spaced the frame, a blade in the form band reeved in a helicoidal said drums to integrally comalternating series of ascending adapted of an endless manner about prise opposed and descending' ribbon-like strands in crossed pair relation to loppositely travel obliquely from one drum to the other, a pair of horizontally disposed plates fixedto the ame in spaced relation intermediate the drums providing a feeding throat for the work to and through the strands approximately in the plane of crossing thereof, a second pair of plates also fixed to the frame intermediate the drums and disposed in spaced relation upon opposite sides of the first plates for spacing the strands for edge- Wise cutting engagement with the work in slice-defining' relation, said pairs of plates having vertically registering series of strandaccommodating slots, and means for actuating the blade.

4. A slicing machine including a frame, a pair of rotary drums mounted in spaced relation upon the frame, a blade in the form of an endless band reeved in a helicoidal manner about said drums to opposed alternating .series of ascending ,and

integrally comprise l obliquely from one vdrum tothe other, a pair of horizontally disposed plates fixed to the frame in spaced relation intermediate. the drums. providing afeedingthroat :for the i L work to and 'through the strands approximately` in theplane .of crossing thereof, a second pair of plates also fixed to the frame intermediate the drums and disposed in spaced relation upon opposite sides ,of lthe m first plates for, spacing the strands for edgewise cutting engagement with the work in slice-defining relationL said pairs of plates having vertically registering series of strandaccommodating slots., and means for actuat- 15 ing the blade, said means including a driving-shaft for one of said drums, ,an extension on said shaft, andl a prime-ninve'r having operative connection with said extension. 5. A slicing machine comprising a frame, 2,1 a pair of rotary drums mounted in spaced relation upon the frame, a blade in the form of an endless band, and a directing pulley mounted on the fram-e over the drums, the band passing from oneend of one of' the 25 drums over and around the pulley and returning to the opposite end of said one drum and being reeved in a helicoidal manner about the drums to integrally comprise alternating series of ascending and descending :so strands ,traveling over and obliquely between the drums, and means for 'actuating the blade. a i

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name'to this specification.

35 EDWARD J.- SCHNEIDER. f 

